When Hot Sulphur Springs endured a major water main break this winter and had to cut off water to all residents, some little brown structures built for privacy, portable and so handily available when you need them most, were brought to the rescue.

One was set up in the county jail courtyard, others outside the courthouse for county employees, many more dispersed throughout the town of Hot Sulphur for residents to use.

And they were put there quickly and efficiently, according to one county employee.

When the water crisis subsided, the county and the town of Hot Sulphur got the news.

Those little brown buildings were supplied at no cost to community taxpayers.

Grand County native Sonny Pacheco, who has owned his portable toilet company Sani-King Inc. with business partner Sue Hardy since 1991, said it simply brings about “a good feeling to give back to the communities that have done so much for us over the years.”

Pacheco and Sani-King were the subject of a Grand County resolution recently, when commissioners congratulated the man and his service for “exemplary community support,” in light of his free supply of portables at not only Hot Sulphur Springs, but also at the Middle Park Fair and Rodeo and various other community events.

“We didn’t expect to be recognized for it,” Pacheco said.

The Sani-King business started with just one portable toilet. The idea of the business came to Pacheco when he was with his brother at the Grand County Landfill. They saw an old portable throne discarded in the trash pile from a former like-minded business.

“I told my brother that would make a good business.,” Pacheco said.

He went out and bought one toilet, and with that, the business sprouted. Today, Sani-King owns 625 portable johns and has supplied its product at such major events as the Widespread Panic concert and other festivals at Winter Park Resort.

Along with portable toilets, the business has grown to provide septic service, camera video for sewer lines and thawing services in winter.

Pacheco’s career started in construction, and then he was the East Grand School District’s director of transportation and maintenance for nine years before taking up the facilities profession.

His parents were sheep ranchers from the San Luis Valley who settled in Tabernash around 1929.

One of nine children, Pacheco is the only remaining member of the family who still lives in Grand County. Pacheco’s son Chad also works for the family business.

“I’ve been here long enough; I think I’ll stay to the end of the movie,” Pacheco said.

He says he enjoys what he does for a living.

“I do. But, then again, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever done,” he said.

The resolution recognizing Pacheco was framed and formally presented to him at a commissioners meeting last week.

“I think everyone should give a little back to their community,” he said yesterday.

” Tonya Bina can be reached at 887-3334 ext. 19603 or e-mail

tbina@grandcountynews.com.